03 July 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt welcomed the President and CEO of the Social Security System (SSS), Mr. Robert Joseph M. de Claro, and accompanying officers during their call on Consul General Marie Yvette L. Banzon Abalos on 02 July 2025. The visit marked the final stop in a 10-day mission that included engagements in Doha, Geneva, Rome, and Madrid. The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between SSS and the Consulate to better serve the Filipino community in Germany, which remains under the jurisdiction of the SSS Milan office. With overseas membership still significantly low relative to the size of the diaspora, the delegation emphasized the importance of expanding SSS presence and improving access to services for Filipinos abroad.
The Consul General highlighted the diversity of the Filipino community in Germany, which includes healthcare professionals, longtime residents, and newly arrived contract workers. Many early migrants are now pension claimants and often encounter challenges in accessing benefits and navigating SSS systems remotely. In response, both sides discussed possible ways to improve access to information and services, including through closer engagement with Filipino community partners and more regular participation in consular outreach activities. The Consulate expressed its openness to supporting future initiatives that would help make SSS programs more visible, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Filipinos in Germany. END